From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words as it…

Analyze the question: You need the phrasal verb that completes the sentence: "We'll buy more, but for now let's just ____ with what we have." This tests your knowledge of phrasal verbs with "make" and the preposition that follows them.

Explain the concept: The phrasal verb "make do (with)" means to manage or get by with what is available, even if it is not ideal. It is always followed by "with" when you name what you are using.

Check each option:

• A. make up with: this would mean to reconcile with someone after a quarrel. It does not fit "with what we have."
• B. make do with: this means to manage with what is available. It fits perfectly.
• C. make away with: this means to steal or carry something off, or to kill. It does not fit.
• D. make out with: this means to see or understand something, or (informally) to kiss someone. It does not fit.

Solution: Putting the correct option in the sentence gives: "We'll buy more, but for now let's just make do with what we have." The sentence says more will be bought later, so for the moment they should cope with the present supply. That is exactly what "make do" means.

Tip: Remember "make do with = manage with what you've got." If a sentence talks about having limited resources for now, "make do" is almost always the answer. Also learn the others as a set:

• make up = invent, or reconcile
• make away with = steal
• make out = see or understand